Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT, is renewed to satisfy the most refined riders [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

The V-Strom debuted on the market way back in 2002, with the first V-Strom 1000 that the Japanese company proposed; a new generation "sport enduro tourer", with its younger sister presented two years later with a 650 displacement. Smaller cubic capacity, but with the same characteristics as the 1000, precisely to encourage you to get on the saddle and go far with the spirit of adventure.

With this new generation, Suzuki has decided to redesign the V-Strom 1000 to guarantee and satisfy the driving pleasure of an excellent companion for long journeys. Compared to its competitors on the market, the Japanese bike appears slim, takes up little space and has an excellent seat in the saddle, which guarantees equally valid agility and handling, with an approach that reflects the concept of a Sport Enduro Tourer motorbike.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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It appears simple and traditional, with its front beak recalling the eighties and the African desert

The look of the V-Strom 1000 ABS is vigorous, light and compact, the seat is shaped to be more comfortable and allow the rider to easily place his feet on the ground. The section of the seat dedicated to the passenger and the rear luggage rack are flat, to allow the transport of even large luggage.
Carefully modeled and tested in a wind tunnel, the windshield offers double adjustment, both in height and inclination, to allow the rider complete protection from the air. The front headlight design, already used in the GSX-R and Hayabusa super sports cars, is developed vertically and has greater brightness, 18% more brightness than the previous version.

As for the instrument panel, it has also been revised. It now has a more refined design and offers all the information a pilot needs. Backlit type, with an analogue tachometer and an LCD speedometer, which has the possibility of adjusting the brightness, also includes the indicator of the gear engaged and the average and instantaneous fuel consumption, as well as the setting used for the traction control system .

Below the instrument panel there is a convenient 12 Volt socket, ideal for connecting a navigator or charging mobile devices, all of which is capable of satisfying even the most demanding riders, who use the motorbike not only as a mere means of transport, but as a real travel companion. The fuel tank is also shaped to guarantee the rider a more compact and comfortable riding position.

Engine and performance:

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A revised engine, Euro 4 and with the innovative “Suzuki Clutch Assist System”

The Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Abs is equipped with a 90 cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 1.037° V-twin engine. With MY2017 the engine has been almost completely renewed, it passes to Euro 4, but confirms the power of 100 horsepower, at 8.000 rpm and the torque, still delivered at its maximum level at 4.000 rpm, is now 101 Nm (-2) .
The engine is smoother and more controllable even at low and medium speeds and has been revised in many of its mechanical components, both to adapt to Euro 4 regulations and to improve driveability and efficiency.
The fuel injection system works in accordance with the data provided by the Lambda probe present in the exhaust and those coming from the intake pressure sensor to have optimal combustion efficiency in different conditions, and now has new calibrations to satisfy Euro 4 standards while keeping engine performance unchanged.

The innovative SCAS (Suzuki Clutch Assist System) system, applied to the clutch, facilitates the rider's task, fulfilling the role both as an anti-slipping clutch when downshifting and limiting its slippage. This system works as an assisted clutch, to reduce the effort on the lever, reducing the force required on the control by 13% compared to the previous version and during our test we were able to see and confirm the actual excellent functioning.
To optimize combustion and have a more homogeneous delivery, as well as greater control in different driving conditions, Suzuki wanted to use a double butterfly valve system on the V-Strom 1000 Abs, called "SDTV" (Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve ).

The new 10-hole injectors improve fuel atomization for greater combustion efficiency and lower consumption, with a figure declared 16% lower than the previous model.
Fuel injection occurs via an oxygen analysis system and an intake pressure sensor, to always have the best combustion depending on different road and driving conditions.
All these improvements and progress made allow the twin-cylinder to have a notable increase in torque, with an increase in performance and a significant reduction in consumption. This explains why, when tackling a climb, some engines, despite having a lot of horsepower, require downshifting, while others, equipped with greater torque like the new V-Strom 1000, do not require the lower ratio, but are always ready to every situation.

In terms of gearbox and clutch: the 6-speed gearbox has been revised and guarantees a pleasant sensation, both when engaging gear and when downshifting. The gears enter precisely and the handlebar lever is soft to operate.
The V-Strom 1000 also adopts the ISC (Idle Speed ​​Control) idle control system, which includes an integrated throttle valve, contributing to a rapid cold start while also reducing polluting emissions.
The standard equipment also includes Low RPM Assist, which prevents the engine from dropping in speed when the clutch is released, helping with starts, and the Suzuki Easy Start System, with which a light pressure on the start button is sufficient to start the engine. .

Ride and handling:

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It proves to be easy to handle and reactive, gaining inertial platform and combined braking

The shape of the handlebar changes with the XT version, which allows for greater comfort, both for on-road riding, but above all for off-road riding. In addition to its easy handling and responsiveness when changing direction, the V-Strom 1000 was the first Suzuki motorcycle to adopt electronic traction control. Traction Control is obviously confirmed, with its levels and the possibility of being deactivated, also on the MY2017.
The front fork is a 43 mm KYB, of the inverted type, it is fully adjustable in hydraulics and spring preload, it allows a sporty and comfortable ride, regardless of road conditions, offering dynamic handling and an engaging driving experience, thanks to the newly developed suspensions.
The "XT" we tested is equipped with beautiful spoked rims, tubeless type thanks to the particular fixing of the spokes on the channel, with a gold or black finish, as in this case.

The V-Strom 1000 then offers a braking system composed of Tokiko monobloc calipers for the front, with radial connection, with double 310 mm floating disc and, for the rear, the choice fell on a 260 mm brake disc. A system that allows very short braking times, as well as being powerful and precise, aided by the excellent Bosch ABS system, which controls the rotation speed of the wheel 50 times for each rotation of the wheel, calibrating the braking power.
However, the most substantial innovations of MY2017 concern the debut of the 5-axis inertial platform, with the related applications, especially oriented towards braking. In fact, the "Motion Track" and "Combination Brake" braking systems are arriving and so the ABS optimizes its reaction not only in a straight line, but also when the bike is leaning on one of the two sides. The system, by reading all the data, is able to distribute and manage braking between the two wheels separately, raising the bar both in terms of safety and driving pleasure. In addition to the cornering ABS, the new V-Strom 1000 has been equipped with combined braking, with the aim of making the bike more stable. So with the front brake lever, beyond a certain pressure, you also act on the rear.
During our test the braking distances were always excellent, always guaranteeing excellent safety in very short times, which is of fundamental importance for safe driving in road traffic. What is surprising, however, is the voluntarily "wrong" use of the brakes when cornering, to simulate a situation at the limit, such as the need to avoid an obstacle with a sudden braking with the bike at an angle. Here the action of the electronics goes beyond what even an excellent driver could do. However, the combined braking action is never invasive.

Price and consumption:

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Great price, long list of optional accessories

As for prices, the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS has been on sale at dealers since last April and starts from 12.690 euros, in the three available colors: Pearl Glacier White, Glass Sparkle Black and Champion Yellow. Alongside the "standard" V-Strom we also find this XT version, recognizable by its spoked aluminum rims and equipped with a light variable-section handlebar, capable of giving an even more attractive design. For this version the price is 13.190 EUR.

The optional accessories that Suzuki offers are many. Up to three rigid top cases can be integrated by combining the side bags with a central top case, which has a capacity of 35 liters and which can contain a full-face helmet. The mounting and fixing supports, in addition to allowing the bags to be installed quickly, are also hidden, so as not to ruin the overall design of the motorbike. In conclusion, a motorcycle with a style that inspires freedom and adventure, capable of offering a dynamic riding experience, made better by the adoption of the inertial platform and combined braking.

As for consumption, the V-Strom confirms itself among the best in its category, with average values ​​in the order of 20 km/l. We had already had the opportunity to notice it a couple of years ago at the Economy Run, organized by Suzuki (here our article), during which a V-Strom 1000 was able to travel 42,4 km/l in the hands of the winner, a truly impressive figure compared to a motorbike that remains of significant cubic capacity and low weight for its category, but still in the order of 230 kg. The MY2017 benefits from the improvements and probably, if we were to repeat the test, it would be able to do even better.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Ease of driving, consumption, handling, engine output
We do not like it:
Poor rear brake

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT MY 2017: the Motorionline Report Card

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Photo shoot: Roberto Cassago

Test clothing:
Jacket: Alpinestars
Pants: Dainese
Gloves: Mtech
Boots: Dainese
Helmet: Caberg Drift Shadow D6 Italia